the blog for single, over-40 women

Learning to Follow the Leader

Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life …
–Psalm 23:6, NIV

Life is a journey. It winds, like a mountain switchback or curvy road. Often we cannot see around the bend what is next.

As you make your way out of bed and into the world each day, think about whom or what you are following — your plans or God’s? Faith or doubt? Do you truly believe that our loving God is willing and able to lead you, or do you choose to cling to the predictable and familiar?

In The Healing Path, Dan Allender says, “Relationship with God requires leaving, letting go, in order to pursue His promises. He calls His followers on a journey that takes them beyond the limits of their sight.”

Following God by faith is challenging. It requires us to trust someone we cannot physically see to lead us down an unknown path. And yet, if we come to know the One who is leading, we can be certain He will lead us toward what will accomplish His good purposes.

One of the most popular definitions of faith is found in the book of Hebrews — “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for” (11: 1, 2). Look at some of the ancients and their struggles:

In this great “Hall of Faith,” we learn about Noah, who was warned about a coming flood — something he could not visibly see — and built an ark to save his family. Abraham was called by God to leave his home and obeyed, even though he did not know where he was going. In addition, an elderly Abraham believed God was faithful to his promises and had faith God would come through when he said Abraham and his barren wife, Sarah, would have a child.

Consider Moses, who refused to be known as royalty, even though he was, because he knew he had a greater calling and reward. He crossed the Red Sea along with thousands of other people on dry land and fled his pursuers, the Egyptians.

Likewise, we are called to follow by faith the One who said, “Follow me.”

Lord, help me to follow by faith and trust in Your goodness, mercy and love to lead me into Your good purposes for Your glory.